Brave Babes - reconvene here!!!

[dementedma]

Hi all
We seem to have finished the last thread but no-one has done a new one. Don't get lost! Gather here until we can sort it out.

Oh, that is a really good way of framing it! I've never really looked at it like that before- it's always been 'I can't do x until y date' or 'can't have this thing I want'. Rethinking it as trading in junk food for the reward of a healthier diet feels a lot more positive.

On that note carte I shall continue to gift myself better sleep, clearer skin and less anxiety by steering clear of the Pinot

That's what I love so much about the bus, being able to share strategies and thoughts with people who 'get it'

Tonight good people is Face Bomb night, my skin is much clearer for all the care I've been taking, pesky little broken veins are almost unnoticeable and my nose is a much healthier colour, not bright red and flushed (never a good look).
Unfortunately I was born with 'worried' eyes and no matter how happy I am I always seem to look like I have the troubles of the world to deal with. Don't think there is a product for that!

Thank you again it means a lot to read the kind messages and it's reassuring.
lux I have facebomb for tonight.
I have also picked a book off my bookshelf and will just go to bed early and read.
it's not rock n roll, but it's AF!

clean sheets are on

Good stuff 42 small pleasures x

Spanna - I lost my mum 3 years ago at 59, she refused to give up smoking and that made me so cross and angry, she wasted her life. She died of lung cancer. I felt so cheated which is maybe a bit selfish of me but then again she had MS and other crippling diseases so maybe she'd just had enough which I totally get.

I'm sorry if it seems like I'm ignoring you all but I'm asleep so much with my CFS days go by and I miss a thread!! I'm going to try my best to start the next new one, I miss my job!

So, I'm going to try and keep up and get to know you all but for now I'm going to try to catch up.

If you want to do a little introduction for me and why you're here, that would be great and stop me throwing my phone at the wall due to being snow blind!!!

I'm mouse, I'm addicted to morphine and vodka, and have been for some time, I'm disabled (as is my seven year old son, and often referred to as Nemo.) with various chronic conditions....... how about those of you who I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet? xx

Hello Babes how cool is this?!?

Back to my laptop from my phone (fat fingers, don't you know) Just taken that photo whilst walking skinny dog. I love living by the sea, I may live in a box, in the roughest street in the town but this access to the beach makes me very happy

Mouse I remember when your Mum died it's all so sad isn't it? We can hold our memories of them in our hearts and souls

Lux is the blog of the day always the same writer? What a face bomb? please tell x

Hi mouse. I'm Flora. I've been here before, on and off since 2014 or so. I started addressing my problems with booze about 6 years ago. When the witch comes a-calling she brings gin and white wine. Things used to be pretty dire: drinking heavily every day, for years. I've improved with time, as my life has become less stressful and more rewarding. Plus I had a long spell teetotal during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But I still tend towards drinking too often and too much, and though I don't feel I'd go back to the real lows of the past, I could end up halfway there. That's why I'm here.

I work part time from home and the rest of the time I'm mum to my toddler daughter. I have a husband who's lovely and supportive. My family are all batshit, apart from my brother, but my husband's family are great. That's me thanks for your intro, and sorry to hear you're having an awful time with pneumonia!

Spanna Garner moisture bomb tissue masks. They look a bit surgical on your face and are soaked with a serum
Love them!

Oh and fab photo, the sea is so healing I find. I think there is a different writer for every blog of the day, not sure.

Mouse I don't think we've ever 'spoken' directly I am pushing 50 with a 13 year old DD. Usual story as regards to wine, my intake crept up and up over the years, I was looking old, tired and past it. I had been looking for help online for a while, thinking, reading and trying to see myself as a non-drinker. The last few years have been tough, very tough. Multiple bereavements, financial worries beyond my control, this took a toll on my relationship and mental health, which of course led to more drinking.

I found the bus at the cusp of the new year, popped my head in under a different user name and said a timid hello. The welcome was warm and I felt right at home. I was posting about how I had lost myself and mentioned how my daughter had said she wished I was a more 'luxury type of woman' meaning, more glamorous and sorted (like the other mums!) and rather than getting me down I decided to embrace the idea, so Luxury Woman was born and I am now painted of nail and covered in various oils and potions. I feel much better about myself.

So, I have not had wine since 30th December, the odd drink here and there. I am certain it was because I was 'ready' in the right frame of mind and the good folk on the bus and their support keep me on the right track.

Spanna God, I can relate to that morning after feeling, why do we do it to ourselves?
Elba yay well done
Mouse you poor thing, the way you’ve been treated is disgusting! Hopefully now new consultant can get the ball going and give her charmless colleagues a kick up the bum
Grumpy I’m sorry about your guinea pigs, they really take your heart
I drink because of negative things generally - it’s my coping mechanism, and it’s difficult not to overdo it at the moment. I’ve drank not loads, but more than usual (a few malibus every other night) and I’ve got to keep telling myself not to drink on a weeknight, not to fall back into the habit cos I know that way danger lies. For the past 10 years it’s been my coping mechanism, and this last episode has knocked me for 6. I was so excited for the job, crossed my fingers, really couldn’t wait and then it turns out I hate it and get attacked. I know I’m lucky compared to some people but sometimes I just want to have a tantrum or a cry over how unfair life is. Part of me thinks there’s something wrong with me - I’ve already left two jobs (the last voluntarily) since leaving uni, and I really don’t want to go back on jobseekers and I’m stressing over interviews and money and jobseekers and court etc … and the stressing over court is stupid I know because it’s her on trial not me, and I’ve done nothing wrong, but I’m a bit nervous of the cross examination. It also pisses me off no end to hear solicitors and ex-boss (who ought to be on my side) saying it’s not assault cos she didn’t touch me. Ok, so she didn’t but I could have been scarred for life and that keeps repeating in my head (ridiculous I know!) Anyway enough of the self pity/whinging
Interview is on Thursday so preparing for that. I’d quite like this job - office based, 9-5 hours, local, good money, little chance of being assaulted, and it would mean leaving one job and going straight to another. Have got my suit all ready and ironed well mam has and washing my hair tonight in preparation (as it is like a bush so will need to wash tonight, spend 20 mins drying and covering in calming serum, then an hour tomorrow straightening in order to look decent on Thursday]

Far too many uses of 'so' in that post!

Hey all. Gives mouse a wee huggle.
Bastard wine witch followed me all the way home from work while I did all the usual will I won't I arguments. Got home to find no milk in the house and dh went out for some, asking on the doorstep" Want anything else?". Babes, it was the collective power of the bus as I mentally chanted "Play it through to the end" and recited a list of Babe names like a mantra or a rosary!!
Anyway,cravings are gone and am off for a bath, clean sheets are on and I have the new Good Food magazine to read. Salad prepped for lunch at work tomorrow.
Might go all luxury and shave my legs...That's about as luxurious as it gets!

Well done ma
Gonna nick that mantra technique!

Or was it a spell?

I think a spell to ward off the wine witch. Together we are a powerful force!
In bed all clean,fresh and sober!

Sorry about the piggy grumpy

mouse hello lovely good to see you. X

Ha ha! I love the bus rosary idea!

Night all have had another af one- hooray.

ma you're doing better than me, WW drove me crazy and I cried and have now had a bottle and a half.

Currently hating myself but know tomorrow is another day

Good going Ma well done and clean in clean sheets, bliss. Enjoy your mag

Lux I use 'lovely' far too much in my posts thank you for mask explanation. Sleep well x

Guggs Hopefully you won't have a 5am wake up and you'll sleep really well x

Made good luck with your interview babe, try and get some good rest and give yourself a treat tomorrow. Try not to worry too much about court, do you have a date yet?

I'm knackered, tough day, been chauffeuring both DDs this evening, got in finally at 9.15, finished off dinner and served up. There is no way the washing up is going to get done tonight NO sir-ree

Well done to all Babes AF tonight and all Babes who are trying to cut down, if you've got a glass in your hand, ask yourself, are you really enjoying it? If not, chuck it down the sink, get some tea or water, brush your teeth and hit the sack

Night all x

pickle x post with you there. Can you put the lid back on the bottle and have a cuppa? or pour the rest down the sink? You're right tomorrow is another day, can you stop now, brush your teeth and go to bed Zzzzzz

Hi mouse, I'm grumpy although generally speaking not too grumpy. I jumped on the bus at the beginning of February, having lurked through all of semi-dry January.

I am mid/late 40s, have 3 DC aged 15, 13 & 11 and just one guinea pig as of today :( I am partial to a glass of wine, which usually ends up being the whole bottle and am trying to knock it on the head. I've done quite well at not drinking in the week (a massive improvement on 2016), not so well at the weekends.

I've got a personal goal set on 1st Jan of 200 AF days in 2017. So far I've managed 45, including tonight. In RL I am still in denial; this bus is a great place....

Thank you spanna I'm heading to bed but my head is really not feeling good on the booze front.

Just don't understand this one... Done cocaine and fags why is this one so fucking hard?!

Pickle it is fucking hard but you're addressing it and reflecting on your drinking, there are so many reasons that we all dive into a glass of vino, vodka, larger etc You're in the right place and we will hold your hand You're a better Babe than me giving up them fags - that is an achievement be proud and the coke - be very proud. Make sure you have a big glass of water and we'll all be here in the morning, lurking or otherwise